Folding table



Nov. 1, 1932. a. w. NOONAN FOLDING TABLE Filed Aug. -6. 1930 INVENTOR 6 y iwmnm f) (PM, ATTORNEY.

' Patented Nov. 1, 1932 arse r rr or.

enonen w. noonAN, or nnw Yon-n; 1v.

ronnme- TABLE Application filed August 6,1930. serial No, 473 3 65.

This invention relates to folding devices and .more. particularly to folding tables for airplanes, automobiles and the like, though 1t 1 isnoted that .theinvention is not limited to vehicles or other moving means nor in some respects .even to tables."

One object of the nvention is to provide a suitable table of this kind which maybe conveniently,usedbetween the chairs of an n automobile, bus or airplane.

Another object of the invention is to provide adevice of this kind which may be-easily and quickly folded or extended, and may be conveniently held out of the way when not in use i Ainotherobject ofthe invention is to prov vide a deniceof this kind which may be economlcally constructed of stamped metal.

Other ,objects of the invention are to im- I prove generallythe simplicity and efficiency.

of such devices and to provide an apparatus Di -this klind which is'stro'ng durable, reliable and sight-1y in use ,and operation, and

whichis economical to manufacture.

Still other objects olfftlie invention will appearas the description proceeds; and while herein details ofthe invention are described and .clairned, the. invention is not limited to these, since many and various changes may .be nrade without departing from the scope of the invention asi claimed in the broader claims.

The invention features for. the accomplish- .n1ent.ofthese and otherlobjects are shown herein inconnection with an improved f0lding table which, briefly stated, includes a bracket-comprising a. stationary abutment portion provided with a recess, and stationaryfulcruni ears, each provided with a ful- I nrum slot, an inwardly and a downwardly slanted, cam slot communicating therewith. An inner table section carries corner pins pivotally engaging in said slots; and an outer section is'hinged to the inner section. A supporting -1nember pivoted against the lower face of one' ot the sections is adapted, when transverseto the sections, to engage in said recess and under both sect ons, and to support thesectionswhen supported by a leg be construed broadly 'enou gh to cover bodirnents of the invention,

the upper part 0 porting member.

l/Vhile infthis specification and claimsrnenp o e to h cu en rertien ot the supt o is mad f the are e ib i it id b th "bottom, top, ends, front and rear or the devices and 'itis stated'th atparts are tol'd ably. ijoined, it is understoodthfatthese wordsiaife used for designation and description 'and that for purposes of protection they re to "he devices besides tables, in other relativeiarrangen'ients, dimensions or' positionsthan as shown, and in'general the -terrnsare to be glven broad nterpretation for the purposes of protection when possible."

In the acc mpany d awin h inab way of eXa pjle, two of ianyflpos siblje'ferm' Figs 1 an' 12a i re'et ve y a r i e ta plan and side elevati'on'Q show-iiig "thefltab1e attached to the back of a chair andierrt'e'iided ready for use Figs. 3 and dare elevations showingfthe partially folded table relative ,to the bracket;

Fig. 5 is an endeleva'tion showing the table folded asa'gainst the'back ota chair;

T Fig; 6 i, hpel'speotive View showing the et ft eb ket;

- Fig-7 is agnie t lr n, Pa t y in e tion, showing the chairs, as in i an" fairplane,"

.arrane n e i with my eman ted;

Fig. 8 is a traginental plan showing the table attached to the side wallotfatuselage, busjor the like.

- Th deviceof'Figs. 1'to 7 i s shown in combination, with the backs ro er airplane or automobile bu seats, though it is noted that the invention is" in no way limited to the structuretowhich the device is' attached, iln Figs. 1 to 'Z,"the table '1l,"1 2f'fi"s p'ivoterlto a bracket 13 of metal; plate (intended/across f fth'ef'b ack ea er thefseat back 10.

Said bracket comprises a horizontal strip like main portion la (Fig.jiii previeedat T thelnid part-ofits jforward edge' witfh a downturned securing g ndj abutment portion16 securedjflat against said f' and provided with a horizontal lower end recess 17.

The ends 19,20 of said portion are much wider than the intermediate part thereof and are turned down substantially perpendicularly to the main portion, the forward portion 19 of each end being conformably curved around the side edges of the cushion of the seat back 10.

The rear portions 20 of the downturned ends form fulcrum ears, each ear being provided with a vertical inner fulcrum slot 21, an approximately vertical inwardly and downwardly slanted cam slot 22 and an upper substantially horizontal connecting slot 23 connecting the upper end of the other slots and extending slightly outwardly of the cam slot to form a pivot bearing 2%.

The inner table section 11 has a pair of upturned inner corner pivot-carrying ears 25 (Fig. 2) near and parallel to the fulcrum ears and respectively carrying fast therein 'alined pivot pins 26 engageable in the slots of the respective bracket ears. A washer may be 7 provided on each pin for separating the adj acent ears.

The outer corners of said inner section car- ,ry extended upwardly turned ears 28, and the inner corners of the outer section carry upwardly turned ears 29, rigid with which are pivot pins 27. These pins are movable in v the ears 28, so that the sections may be folded approximately flat against each other (Flgs.

3 to 5) or disposed in the same plane with the inner edges abutting (Fig. 2). The extended ears 28 form flanges which, may at times serve for preventing articlesfrom sliding off the table; and while these flanges are not shown as extending all around the table, the invention is not thus limited.

A supporting channel member 30 is piv- V oted as at 31 at its mid part adjacent to the the inner end 34 of the web projects and is adapted to engage in said recess 17 (Fig. 6)

when the member is transverse .to the table sections and pivot pins 25 are in the bottoms of the fulcrum slots 21 after the table hasbeen pivotally raised and then lowered until the inneredge of the table section 11 abuts said abutment portion 16.

' A leg 35, which may be of channel material, is pivoted, by a pin 36, at its upper end between the outer ends of said flanges 32 and is adapted to be housed between said flanges, and when the supporting member is transverse the sections and the pins 26 are in'the fulcrum slots; or to'be disposed vertically upon the floor to support the outer end of the member 30, to cause the member to support the table sections.

Said pins 26, when in the bottom of the fulcrum slots, co-operate with the inner edge of the inner section 11 and said abutment portion 16 to position the table section horizontally, as in Figs. 3 and 4-, whereby after the leg is housed and the supporting member is placed longitudinally, the outer section may be folded against the inner section. The pins 26 are then placed in the pivot extensions 24; to permit the folded table to hang and the pins to move into the cam slots 22 to force and hold, with a wedging action, the table against the abutment portion 16.

Spring clips 38 secured to the back'of the chair have each a shoulder and a cam end, the cam end being adapted, when the table is folded, to be engaged by the ends of the housed leg when horizontal and the table is folded, to permit the ends of the legs to snap behind the shoulders, whereby the parts may be retained in folded positions, as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows an arrangement of seat in an airplane cabin 40, instead of having the brackets 13 secured to the chair backs, brackets 13' (Fig. 8) having the curved portions 19 omitted, may be secured to the side wall 41 of an airplane, bus or other structure, and may be folded against the wall in the same manner as in Fig. 5.

The operationis very simple, and is obvious from the foregoing. NVhen not in use,

the device is disposed as in Fig. 5. When it is desired to use it, the whole is slightly raised and then the lower part released from the springs and pulled slightly out, and then raised until the pivot pins engagein the slot extensions 24. Next the parts are moved to the position of Fig. 1 and then to the position of Fig. 3. The parts will remain in the position of Fig. 3 ofthemselves, which makes it thenv convenient to unfold the extension 12 and then dispose the member 30 approximately transversely of the sections, letting the leg fall. The supporting member may then be raised, the pins 26 acting as pivots, to permit the end 34 to be inserted in therecess 17, after which the parts are disposed in the position of the solid lines of Fig. 2.

The reverse action takes place when the table is folded, the parts taking the successive positions of Figs. 2 to 5, snapping into place behind the springs 38.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, an attaching bracket comprising a main portion, an intermediate abutment portlon thereon provided with a recess, and end portions perpendicular to the main portion and forming fulcrum ears, each provided with a vertical inner fulcrum slot, an inwardly and downwardly slanted tassel? camslot and a slot connecting theother sides; a table comprising aninner section having tudinally or transversely of the sections, the

inner end being engageable in said recess;

' a leg pivoted to the outer end of said supporting member; and means adapted to hold the table parts in folded position.

2. In combination, a stationary abutment portion provided with a recess; stationary fulcrum means; an inner table section carrying corner means pivotally engaging said fulcrum means; an outer section hinged to the outer edge of the inner section; a supporting member pivoted against the lower face of one of the sections and adapted to engage in said recess and against the lower face of both sections; and a leg pivoted to the outer end portion of said supporting member.

3. In combination, a member including opposed ears and provided with a recess; a table section having corner means for pivotaily mounting said section, said means being engageable with said ears; a supporting mem ber pivoted against the lower face of the section and adapted to be moved to engage at its inner end in said recess; and a leg pivoted to the outer end portion of said supporting member.

I. In combination, a stationary abutment; stationary fulcrum means; a table section carrying off-set corner pins pivotally engaging said means; the inner edge of the table when horizontal engaging said abutment.

5. In combination, an abutment; stationary fulcrum ears each provided with a fulcrum slot; and a table section having upwardly ofi set ears carrying corner pins engaging in said slots; the inner edge of the section, when the section is horizontal, engaging said abutment.

6. In combination, an abutment; stationary fulcrum ears each provided with an inwardly and downwardly slanted cam slot; and a table section having upwardly off set ears carrying corner pins engaging in said slots; the slots forcing the section when vertlcal against sald abutment.

7. In combination an abutment' stationary fulcrum ears each provided with an innerfulcrum slot and an outer inwardly and downwardly slanted cam slot connecting with the fulcrum slot; a table including a section having upwardly offset ears carrying corner pins engaging in" said slots; the inner slot being positioned to cause the table section when horizontal to engage its inner edge agalnst the abutment; the cam slot bemg position-ed to cause. the tablesection when vertical to press against the abutment.

8. In combination, fulcrum members; a table pivoted between said fulcrum members and comprising an inner section and an outer section; the inner section havingpivot means en 'a 'in the res ective fulcrum members C Z3 Z3 9 the outer corners of said inner section carrymg upturned. outwardly pro ecting outer flange ears projecting beyond the edge of the section; the inner edge of. the outer section being provided with upturned pivot ears respectively pivoted against theinner face of the projecting end of the projecting ears, whereby said sections may be folded approximately flat against each other or disposed in the same plane withthe inner edges abutting.

9. An attachment for a seat back comprising a single piece of metal having a flat horizontal table strip, vertically disposed. resilient terminals extending forwardly from said strip for embracing the lateral faces of the seat back, and an abutment also integral with said strip and depending from the central portion of the front edge of said strip for engaging the rear face of said back.

10. An attachment for a seat back comprising. a bracket having a flat horizontal table strip, vertically disposed front terminals integral with said strip for embracing the lateral edges of the seat back, and an abutment integral with said strip and depending from the front edge of said strip to engage the rear face of said back.

11. An attachment for seat backs comprising a piece of sheet material having a main strip, vertically disposed front resilient terminals integral with said strip for embracing the lateral edges of a seat back, an abutment integral with said strip and dependingfrom the front edge of said strip to engagethe rear face of said back, and vertically disposed rearwardly projecting terminals also integral with said strip and having slots therein for supporting material therebelow.

12. A table for a seat back comprising in combination a bracket including a main strip, front terminals, extending from said strip for embracing the opposed side edges of the seat back, an abutment depending from said strip for engaging the rear face of the seat back, rear terminals also extending from said strip and having opposed slots therein, a pin for each slot, an ear depending from each pin, and a table top rigid with said ears, said abutment having its rear face engaged against the front edge of said top to hold the latter suspended in horizontal condition below said second terminals.

13. A foldable table for conveyances ineluding in combination with a conveyance having a vertical wall, a. bracket carried on said wall and including fulcrum means, a table section, pivots mounted on said section and engaging said means, a second table secwhereby subsequent to movement of said pivots into said outer portions folding movement of said table is effective to dispose said support between said abutment and said surface.

15. A foldable suspension table for vehicles including in combination with a vehicle having a vertically disposed structure, a bracket carried on said structure and in cluding fulcrum means, foldable table sections, pivots mounted on one of said sections and engaging said means, a collapsible support disposed between the lower surface of said sections and said structure, and means including said first means for holding said table suspended in folded condition.

16. In combination, stationary fulcrum ears; an inner table sectlon carrying corner members pivotally engaging sald ears; an

outer section hinged to the inner section; a

supporting member pivoted against the lower face of the outer section; and a leg pivoted to the outer end portion of said support ing member; said sections being foldable against each other in approximately vertical position, with the leg horizontally disposed parallel thereto; and clips engaging the ends of the leg when thus horizontal.

17. In combination, an attaching bracket comprising a. horizontal main portion provided at its mid part with a downturned abutment portion provided with a horizontal lower end recess; the ends of said main portion being turned perpendicular thereto to form fulcrum ears, each provided with a vertical inner fulcrum slot, an approximate ly vertical inwardly and downwardly slanted cam slot and an upper slot connecting the upper end of the other slots; a table comprising an inner section having upturned inner corner pivot-carrying ears respectively carrylng pivot pins engaging in said slots, a section pivoted to the inner section so that the sections may be folded approximately flat against each other or disposed in the same plane with the inner edges abuting; a supporting member pivoted to the inner margin of the outer section flat against the lower face of the table, the supporting member being disposable longitudinally or transverse to the sections, the inner end being adapted to engage in said recess; aleg pivoted at its upper end to the outer. end of said support ing member and adapted to be disposed vertically or flat against the member; and spring clips adapted to engage the ends of the leg when horizontal, and the table is folded.-

18. In combination, with the back of a seat, a bracket of metal extended across the upper part of the back face of the seat back; said bracket comprising a horizontal strip like main portion provided at the mid part of its forward edge with a downturned securing and abutment portion secured fiat against said back face; the ends of said portion being much wider than the intermediate portions and turned down substantially perpendicularly to the main portion; the forward portion of each downturned end being conformably curved around the side edges of the seat back; the rear portion of each downturned end forming fulcrum ears, and a table section pivoted between said cars.

19. A bracket comprising a horizontal strip like main portion provided at the mid part of its forward edge with a downturned securing and abutment portion provided with a horizontal lower end recess; the ends of said portion being much wider than the intermediate portions and turned down sub stantially perpendicularly to the main por tion; the forward portion of each downturn-ed end being curved toward each other; the rear portion of each downturned end forming fulcrum ears, and each provided with a vertical inner fulcrum slot, an approximately vertical inwardly and downwardly slanted cam slot and an upper substantially horizontal connecting slot connecting the upper end of the other slots and extending slightly rearwardly of the keeper slot to form a pivot bearing.

Signed at East Lyme in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, this 2d day of August A. D. 1930.

GEORGE W. NOONAN. 

